Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park cadets shine at NCC Combined Annual Training Camp

Five girl cadets from Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, along with their Associate NCC Officer, Second Officer Ms Ira Chaudhary, attended the Combined Annual Training Camp (CATC) organised by Group ‘C’, NCC Headquarters, Safdarjung Enclave. The week-long camp brought together around 450 cadets from schools and colleges across Delhi, offering them a mix of rigorous training and enriching experiences.

“It was a wonderful experience to be with so many cadets from different institutions,” said Ms Chaudhary, who also teaches Hindi at the school. “As ANO, I had the responsibility to take care of all of them, and it was truly enriching.”

Training and Activities

The camp included daily physical training, drill practice, and guest lectures on topics such as personality development, traffic rules, fire safety, NDRF operations, and stress management. Junior Wing cadets were also sensitised on the important issue of good and bad touch, ensuring their awareness of personal safety and well-being.

Special subject classes were conducted by the PI staff on Map Reading, Field Craft, and Battle Craft. One of the most awaited sessions was musketry and firing practice. “For many of our Junior Wing cadets, it was their first time firing a rifle,” Ms Chaudhary explained. “After practicing with empty rifles, each cadet fired five live rounds at the Rohini firing range. It was an exciting and memorable experience for them.”

Achievements and Highlights

A proud moment for the school came when Class IX student Tanya Gautam secured the silver medal, placing second among more than 200 Junior Wing cadets. “It is a matter of immense pride because no cadet from our school has won a medal like this before,” Ms Chaudhary said. “For Tanya, this achievement also opens up opportunities at the national level.”

The camp also featured competitions such as poster making, extempore speeches, and cultural programmes. Cadets got the chance to visit the National War Memorial and take part in Independence Day celebrations, making the experience even more memorable.

Values and Takeaways

Reflecting on the most impactful activities, Ms Chaudhary noted, “Drill and firing stood out the most. These are skills the students would never get to practice elsewhere, and they instill discipline, confidence, and teamwork.”

Beyond skill-building, the camp emphasised values of patriotism, endurance, and responsibility. Staying with cadets from different schools fostered leadership qualities and camaraderie, leaving students with a stronger sense of purpose.

Sharing her own journey, Ms Chaudhary added, “I was given the opportunity by Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park to undergo ANO training at OTA Gwalior. Since then, I have been guiding cadets through NCC, and it has been a fulfilling experience.”